It’s here! It’s here! Fans everywhere can now salivate while watching the first trailer for the final two films in the Harry Potter series. The seventh book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, covers so much material that one movie couldn’t possibly do it justice, so Warner Bros. is going to do it up right. They are splitting the book into TWO films! Part 1 will be released this November and Part 2 in July 2011. Until then, we shall have to content ourselves with this preview. Enjoy!
Tomorrow night, sci-fi nerds everywhere will be celebrating the return of Futurama, the much-beloved (by me, anyway) animated series from Simpsons creator Matt Groening. The sitcom, about a pizza delivery boy accidentally cryogenically freezing himself in 1999 and waking up on New Year’s Eve, 2999. With all of his friends and family long gone, he has to adjust to life in the 31st century. He gets a job as (what else?) a delivery boy. Only this time, he’s delivering packages to different galaxies.
Futurama returns tomorrow night at 10pm on Comedy Central
The show debuted on Fox in 1999 and ran for four seasons before being canceled in 2003. Since then, the reruns have been shown in syndication on the Cartoon Network’sAdult Swim and Comedy Central. Excitement over the possible resurrection of the series began to build in 2007, when four straight-to-DVD movies were released, and the movies were subsequently broken up into parts and aired as “new” episodes. Then, last year it was announced that the series was coming back for real.
That day has almost arrived! The entire cast is back for another 26 episodes, and I can’t wait! I still watch Futurama reruns all the time, and I am so ready for some truly new episodes. The new season begins tomorrow night (June 24) at 10pm on Comedy Central.
Today, Australian-born singer-songwriter Sia Furler releases her fifth solo album, We Are Born. Sia began her career as a backup singer for British group Jamiroquai before becoming a featured vocalist for producer duo Zero 7. She really came to be recognized a powerful solo artist in 2005, however, when her song, “Breathe Me” was chosen as the soundtrack to the climactic final scene in the critically acclaimed series finale of the HBO drama Six Feet Under. Since then, she has released a live album and, as of today, two studio albums.
Not to say that that there aren’t any of Sia’s trademark ballads on this disc. They’re here. Powerful retro-throwback track “Be Good To Me” features the improvised vocalizations that her fans know and love. But the swinging, swaying track is bookended by two songs designed to make you move to a much more frenetic beat.
Things do start to slow down a little towards the end of the album, with the most surprising track on the disc being a cover of Madonna’sLike A Prayer-era lament, “Oh Father.” Sia’s version seems more reflective than Madge’s, as if she is singing more to herself than to dear old dad. A piano and vocals-only version of an earlier track, “I’m In Here” closes the album out on a softer note than it started on.
As Sia cheekily posted on Twitter when she heard the Twilight news, “twilight? woohoo! i’m gonna be richish!”
We Are Born should be considered a companion album to Some People Have Real Problems. Do yourself a solid and load both albums into an iTunes playlist. Hit randomize and get your groove on. Both albums are great and they complement each other perfectly. You are also strongly encouraged to catch Sia live. She sounds even better in person than she does on this album.
Within the last week and a half, two pop stars have released music videos that they hope will propel their accompanying songs to the top of the summer charts. Last week, Lady Gaga gave us “Alejandro,” an homage to just about every video Madonna has ever done, with a little bit of Evita thrown in for good measure. Wednesday, Katy Perry posted her clip for “California Gurls,” which reminded me mostly of the game Candyland that I loved so dearly as a child. (I fear I shall never be able to play that game ever again without thinking of a naked Katy Perry wearing a Queen Frostine wig. Sad.)
These videos obviously couldn’t be more different…except for one thing. Both Katy and Gaga and some point during the video sport a bikini top featuring some kind of strange accessory. Katy actually does this several times -mostly with pastry-related items- but the highlight(?) is at 3:23 when she has actual spraying cans of whipped cream strapped to her chest.
Lady Gaga, on the other hand, is packing some heat. She’s got machine gun muzzles on her bikini top, which obviously makes dancing to her Ace of Base-inspired beat a bit tricky. Skip to 6:16 (yeah, it’s a long video!) to see what I mean.
Ladies, the obvious trend of the summer is to stick things to your bra, so let’s get out those glue guns!
Doug Fieger, lead singer of The Knack, died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. He was 57 years old.
The Knack formed in 1978 and had their biggest success with the ultra-catchy “My Sharona.” The track features one of the most well-known guitar riff in pop music history and has been covered (or parodied) by countless artists.
I have always loved the song My Sharona, maybe because it was the number one song (it spent six weeks at the top of the charts) on the day I was born and so I probably heard it a lot in the womb. Originally released in 1979, it hit the charts again in 1994 when it was featured in the movie Reality Bites and released as a single for the film’s soundtrack.
Here is the original music video for My Sharona. RIP, Doug.
Tonight, the long-awaited Elton John and Billy Joel Face To Face tour makes it to Seattle. Two shows slated for early November 2009 were postponed when Elton fell ill. Tonight, the rescheduled shows begin at Key Arena.
I am a huge fan of both Elton and Billy, so I am beyond excited for the concert tonight. I haven’t seen either one of them live before, so it’s a big night for me.
To celebrate tonight’s dream come true event, there are TWO songs of the day!
Billy Joel has the first slot with the 1980’s classic “Uptown Girl.”
And of course, the other song of the day comes from Sir Elton! Here’s a vintage clip from a 1970 performance of “Your Song.”
So I could not let the day end without mentioning that it is Steve Perry’s 61st birthday. 61 years old! Though he left the band in 1987 (and again in 1998 after a short three-year reunion) Steve was the lead singer of Journey during their heyday.
Whether you’re a Journey fan or not, you have to admit that Steve has some serious pipes. He’s certainly one of the best vocalists of all time. To honor Steve’s birthday, today’s song of the day is my favorite Journey song. It’s the song I believe features Steve’s best vocal performance, “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).” The video is also totally cheesy and unintentionally hilarious! Watch how Steve gets so into the lyrics, he’s nearly doing a literal interpretive dance. Enjoy!
Tom Rowlands, one half of the English electronic duo, The Chemical Brothers, turns 39 today. Happy Birthday, Tom! To celebrate, I’ve chosen one of my favorite tracks, (and my favorite Chemical Brothers video) The Salmon Dance as the Song of the Day.
I don’t know a single person who doesn’t like this video. It’s like a super-psychedelic Finding Nemo. It’s also surprisingly educational. Plus, I bet that once you listen to The Salmon Dance you won’t be able to get it out of your head. Enjoy!
I’m just gonna come right out and say it: “Never My Love” is one of my favorite songs of ALL TIME. It’s way up in my top 10, maybe in my top 5. The song may be a little on the cheesy side, but come on! Who doesn’t need a sappy love song now and then?
I am not alone in my love for this song. Broadcast Music Incorporated (commonly known as BMI) lists the song as the second most played track (in TV and radio) of the 20th century. Quite a feat, and well deserved, as far as I’m concerned.
I was excited to see that a cover of “Never My Love” was recorded by another favorite of mine, Har Mar Superstar. He collaborated Adam Green of the Moldy Peaches on the song for the soundtrack to the 2009 film Whip It. While it’s a great version, The Association’s cover of the song is still my favorite. Here is The Association performing live on Ed Sullivan. Enjoy!
30 years ago today, British punk band The Clash released one of the most iconic albums in rock music history. London Calling took the world by storm and brought punk music to the pop charts. It’s one of my favorite albums of all time. Here is the video for the title track. Enjoy!
